Cars > Challenges > “Black Magic” Vs “Mach 1”

BigDog

M–37
Martinsburg, West Virginia
United States

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CARNUT

M

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1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Clone

“Black Magic”

1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

“Mach 1”

Head to Head

About “Black Magic”

Found this car for sale at a car show in Joliet IL, and my wife talked me into buying it. It's the 4th Thirdgen Camaro I've owned. When I bought this car is had 15x8 rims in the rear and 14x7's up front, and the exhaust consisted of headers straight out to two 40 series Flowmaster mufflers and no tailpipes. You couldn't hear the person in the passenger seat while driving down the road, not to mention the spark show it gave off when it hit any bumps.

About “Mach 1”

I am the 2nd owner of this car, purchased in 1992 with 41,000 original miles. The car now has 52,000 miles. It is extremely rust free and unrestored except for paint. The engine has never been disassembled and the interior is all original. The car has won dozens of awards at local and regional shows, and an Award of Excellence at the 1999 Mustang Club of America 35th Anniversary show.

The first time I saw this car it was sitting in a run down out-of-business repair shop along a rural road in West Virginia. As I drove by I could see the front end behind the glass roll-up door. My father-in-law was a mechanic who lived in the area and I asked him if he knew who owned it. He did, and put me in contact with the owner. It was being stored there until it could be sold at Spring Carlisle the following weekend. I test drove it and bought it on the spot.

The car has participated in several memorable events over the years, including Ford's official unveiling event for the "new" 1994 Mustang in Philadelphia; a TV news story during the 1999 introduction of the Mustang U.S. postage stamp; and the Mustang Club of America's 30th, 35th and 40th Mustang Anniversary Celebrations. At the 35th Anniversary Celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway it was driven on the track and reached 130 mph on the back straight until I realized it was taching 5,000 rpm and pulled my foot off the pedal. It also appeared in the May 1998 edition of the Mustang Times magazine, published by the Mustang Club of America.

This is one of the best driver's cars I have ever owned. It has good power, awesome styling, is extremely comfortable, very reliable, and gets 19 mpg to boot! It has been taken on several long trips of 8-10 hours one way and I can't wait to do it again.

Even after 15 years of ownership, I still smile every time I walk into the garage and every time I get behind the wheel. I will never sell this car!

Specs for “Black Magic”

Originally a Blue V6 Camaro.

Specs for “Mach 1”

351 Windsor
FMX auto trans
3.00:1 axle.
Factory ratings are 290 HP and 385 ft. lbs.
Car gets 19 mpg.
Color: Meadowlark Yellow

Factory Options for “Black Magic”

About the only factory options left are the headlights and turn signals. Even the windshield wipers are gone!

Factory Options for “Mach 1”

The Mach 1 came standard with many items that were options on other models, such as GT suspension and deluxe interior. The only options on this car are auto trans, power steering, and AM radio.

Mods for “Black Magic”

Engine:
350 from a 70 Chevelle, 650 CFM Edelbrock Carb, Edelbrock performer intake, MSD Distributor, MSD Blaster Coil, MSD 6a ignition, K&N Air filter with Extreme lid.

Exhaust:
Long tube headers connected to 3" straight pipe to a 80 series Flowmaster with 4" chrome tips.

Driveline:
Trans & rear end from a 90 IROC, with 4.10 gears & posi unit fitted in the rear. Drilled & Slotted rotors up front with stock drums out back. Eibach Sportline lowering springs and KYB GR2 struts & shocks.

Interior:
Black cloth seats from a thirdgen Pontiac. B&M hammer shifter fitted in the stock console, 5" Autometer Tach, with shift light, stuffed into the dash in it's stock location. Pillar mount with Autometer water temp & oil pressure gauges mounted. RCI racing harnesses mounted on both front seats, with stock seat belts in the rear. Pioneer head unit with Rockford Fosgate 6x9's in back, and Boston Acoustic 4x6's under the dash.

Appearance
Black base coat with racing stripes, painted in the Mystic paint, and a stripe down each side of the car. Stern 18" wheels mounted on all 4 corners, with 245/40/18 Nexxan's mounted. 4" Harwood cowl hood and all ground effects and badges from a 92 Z28. New Billet grille installed up front, fresh window tinting (5% on the rear window and 35% on the sides).

To Do List:
Racing harness for rear seats, new sport seats for the front, car alarm and new audio system.

Mods for “Mach 1”

The only current modification is a Pertronix ignition. I am planning an AOD 4-speed auto trans swap and 3.50:1 gears for better acceleration without killing gas mileage.